Method and apparatus for communicating information about a called party to a calling party

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus is provided for automatically retrieving and displaying supplemental information about a called party on the customer premise equipment (CPE) of a calling party. When a caller places a call, the number called is used to look up and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the called party. Application software resident in the caller&#39;s CPE uses the URL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/884,830,filed Jun. 30, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,806.

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/801,880 entitled“Method and System for Providing Computer-Network Related Informationabout a Calling Party”, filed Feb. 18, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,684and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to telecommunication servicesusing a public telephone network and more particularly to communicatinginformation about a called party to the calling party.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Local telephone service providers, through a central office, offer avariety of optional services to their customer. Some of these servicesprovide information about a person placing a call (a calling party) to aperson receiving the call (a called party). Customer premises equipment(CPE) of many offices and homes increasingly will integrate telephonyand computers. This type of CPE can connect to a network environmentthat includes both a real or virtual telephone path and a real orvirtual data path for access to a computer network such as the Internet.In addition to the conventional phone-computer setup, there is anemerging technology that integrates both a computer and a telephone intoa single device, a so-called smart or intelligent phone that contains abuilt-in microprocessor capable of running applications, such as WorldWide Web browsing software. Another example is Internet television withintegrated telephony.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a method and apparatus isprovided that initiates two actions in response to the dialing of atelephone number. In addition to placing the call, supplementalinformation about the called party is automatically retrieved anddisplayed on the terminal of the calling party. This supplementalinformation allows the called party to communicate in a more detailedway with callers. For example, the called party might provide the callerwith a high level calendar showing when the called party would beavailable to take calls. Preferably, in accordance with the presentinvention when a caller places a call, the number called is used to lookup and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of thecalled party. Application software resident in the caller's CPE uses theURL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a CPE to be usedin the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a telephone network accessible by the CPEand including a central office equipped with Advanced IntelligentNetwork (AIN) software;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a telephone network accessible by the CPEand including a central office that is not equipped with AIN software;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the method of a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a CPE generallydesignated 10 is a smart or intelligent phone including a handset 12, adisplay 14 and a keyboard 16. A microcomputer (not shown) is locatedwithin the housing of the CPE and capable of communicating with atelephone network described hereinafter. The microcomputer is programmedto respond to inputs from the keyboard 16 and to provide output to thedisplay 14. The CPE is also capable of connecting to the Internet viathe telephone network using a modem or similar device connected with themicrocomputer and preferable located within the housing of the CPE.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a modern AIN-based telephonenetwork 20 divided into two regions (Region A and Region B). An AdvancedIntelligent Network (AIN) SSP is a central office equipped with AINsoftware. AIN software can enable an SSP to suspend call processing andlaunch a query to an SCP. An SSP is similar to a local telephone centraloffice equipped with a voice switch, well known to those skilled in theart. The network 20 includes signal switching points (SSP) 22, 24, 26,28; tandem switches 30, 32; signal transfer points (STP) 34, 36; servicecontrol points (SCP) 38, 40; and databases 42, 44. The elements of thenetwork 20 typically communicate over links 46 using network signalingprotocols and over links 48 carrying voice and data traffic. A pluralityof CPE's indicated at 100-122 have a real or virtual telephone line anda real or virtual data line and gain access to the network 20 bycommunicating voice and data to the SSPs 22-28. For example, the accessline may be equipped with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL)technology, such that the voice path from the CPE is routed over the AINnetwork, but the CPE can also exchange data simultaneously with theInternet (accessed with an ATM switch contained within the SSP).

The SSPs 22-28 communicate voice and data traffic over links 48 toconventional tandem switches 30 and 32. The tandem switches transfer thevoice and data traffic within or between regions of the network 20. Itshould be understood, however, that SSPs in different areas may alsotransfer voice and data traffic directly between each other without theuse of a tandem switch.

Both the tandem switches 30 and 32, and the SSPs 22-28, transfer networksignaling protocols over links 46 to the STPs 34 and 36. The networksignaling protocols, such as those defined by the well known SignalingSystem 7, control the network switching of voice and data traffic.

STPs 34 and 36 transfer network signaling protocols over inks 46 withinor between regions and to SCPs 38 and 40. SCPs 38 and 40 may alsodirectly transfer network signaling protocols between regions. The STPsand the SCPs preferably include a microprocessor controlled computersystem using computer peripherals controlled by application softwareprogrammed to implement the appropriate communication functions. STPsand SCPs are available from a number of telephone switch vendors.

SCPs 38 and 40 handle the queries sent from a called party's SSP bycommunicating with databases 42 and 44. Preferably, these databasescontain information identifying the types of services available to eachCPE 100-122 and related information such as, but not limited to, FAXnumbers, e-mail addresses, cellular numbers, and computer-networkaddresses, such as Internet location identifiers (e.g., (URLs)). Theinformation may be stored in a memory storage device such as randomaccess memory or a magnetic or optical disk drive, known to thoseskilled in the art. Of course, a combination of different memory storagedevices or other types of devices may be used. The memory storage devicepreferably stores the service information in a data record such as anarray, lookup or pointer table, or other data structures known to thoseskilled in the art.

The Internet indicated generally at 50 is shown for purposes ofdiscussion as being accessed from the SSP 24. When accessing theInternet 50, a modem connected with the microcomputer of the CPE isconnected through the SSP 24 to a modem provided by an Internet accessprovider, which in turn is connected to the Internet. A server connectedwith a data base is indicated at 52 and preferably store the URLassociated with each telephone number of interest.

The method of providing the Web page of a called party to a callingparty it illustrated by the diagram in FIG. 4 and comprises the steps ofcollecting the number dialed by an originating CPE, as a call is placedto the called party CPE, as indicated at block 54; querying a database44 to retrieve the called party's URL based on the number dialed, asindicated in the block 56; using the URL to retrieve the called party'sweb page from a database 52, as indicated at block 58; and displayingthe web page corresponding to that URL on the originating CPE 106 asindicated at block 60.

More particularly, with respect to FIG. 2, when a calling party, usingfor example CPE 106, lifts the telephone receiver and dials the numberof a called party, using for example CPE 116, that number is sent to thecalling party's SSP 24. The AIN software in the SSP 24 formulates andtransmits a query to the SCP 40 via STP 36. The SCP 40 queries thedatabase 44 to determine how to handle the call and what services toprovide the calling and called parties (using information about theoriginating caller and the dialed number), and data over link 46 is sentto the SSP 26 of the called party to set up the call.

The SCP 40 also identifies the properties of the originating CPE 106,and determines whether it can display a Web page. If so, SCP 40 indexesthe database 44 to obtain and transmit the URL associated with thedialed telephone number back to the originating CPE 106.

Once the originating CPE 106 receives the URL from the SSP 24,application software in the CPE 106 retrieves and display the Web page,associated with the URL, that is stored in an Internet server database52 as is well known in the art. This application may be any of the wellknown Web browsing software available from various suppliers.

Alternatively, the CPE 106 may be provided with appropriate software anddatalink connection permitting it to formulate and transmit a querydirectly to the SCP 40 via the STP 36. Other methods of querying adatabase can be used and the database can be local to the SCP,accessible over a connecting data network, or accessible remotely over aSS7 network.

FIG. 3 shows a non-AIN network 61 including central offices 62-68equipped with standard switching equipment. The network 61 furtherincludes tandem switches 70 and 72 and signal transfer points (STP) 74and 76. Network 61 does not include SCP's as shown in the AIN-basednetwork of FIG. 2. In this network an application processor in each ofthe central offices accesses databases 78-84. The elements of thenetwork 61 typically communicate over links 86 using network signalingprotocols and over links 86 carrying voice and data traffic. In thisnetwork the Internet 50 is accessed from the central office 64. Whenaccessing the Internet 50, a modem connected with the microcomputer ofthe CPE is connected through the central office 64 to a modem providedby an Internet access provider, which in turn is connected to theInternet. As in FIG. 2, the Internet may also be accessed using ADSL orequivalent equipped access lines.

In FIG. 3, the method of providing the Web page of the called party to acalling party comprises the steps of collecting the telephone numberdialed by the calling party with an application running at the CentralOffice 64, querying a database 80 to retrieve the called party's URL,returning the URL to the calling party's CPE, where the Web pagecorresponding to that URL is retrieved and displayed.

More particularly, when the calling party lifts the telephone receiver,located at CPE 106, and dials the number of the receiver of the calledparty, located at CPE 116, that number is sent to the correspondingcentral office, here central office 64. When the calling party's centraloffice 64 receives the digits, the string is passed to an applicationprocessor in the central office that queries a database 80. The centraloffice also sends she digits in a network signaling protocol to the STP76, which sets up the routing of the call in the usual manner. Thedatabase 80 indexes telephone numbers to URLs, and the URL of the dialednumber is returned to the calling party's CPE 106. Once the callingparty's CPE receives the URL from the central office 64, an applicationin the CPE 106 can retrieve and display the Web page associated with theURL, as is well known in the art. This application may be any of thewell known Web browsing software available from various suppliers.

Providing the Web page of the called party to a calling party is notdependent upon a specific network such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thecalling party's CPE may use the dialed telephone number to query adatabase on the Internet to retrieve the called party's URL, and displaythe Web page corresponding to that URL. Other methods besides thosedisclose for querying a database can be used and the database can belocal, accessible over a connecting data network, or accessibleremotely. Instead of using databases located within the phone network, adirectory database located on the Internet, that contains URLsreferenced to phone numbers, would is used. After collecting the phonenumber that is dialed, the CPE runs an application that will index theInternet directory database to retrieve the URL associated with thecalling party's number. Once the calling party's CPE receives the URL,an application in the CPE can retrieve and display the Web pageassociated with the URL, as is well known in the art. This applicationcan be any well known Web browsing software. Alternatively, instead ofmerely sending back the URL of a location on the computer networkcontaining the customized information, the aforementioned applicationrun by the CPE can return the Web page itself.

While this description has referenced URLs, other computer-networkaddresses would work as well. While it has referenced the Internet,other computer networks could be used. While it has referenced Webpages, other customized user files could be used.

The preferred CPE arrangements on the caller side include the smarttelephone with a display and application processor as described. A CPEspecifically designed to receive and display the customized user filescould also be used, as well as a personal computer with a telephone anda data network interface. Other equivalent devices could be usedincluding the so called “thin client,” where the serving processor has atelephone and data network interface, as well as a telephone and acomputer coordinated by a network application. Other CTI capable deviceswith the dual real or virtual channel capability (voice over data, ordata over voice) could be used, and these might include PDSs, cellularphones with data displays, and so on. Even specialized devices such as aversion of a WebTV box running a browser with a built-in Internettelephone could be appropriately modified and used.

Several databases storing the computer-network address indexed to thetelephone number were mentioned above. These could also include knowndatabases such as the Directory Assistance database, and futuredatabases (e.g., inside the called party's smart telephone itself, wherean incoming call might prompt a customized user file to be returnedbefore the phone is answered).

While the best mode for carrying out the present invention has beendescribed in detail, those familiar with the art to which this inventionrelates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communicating information about acalled party to a calling party comprising a sequence of the followingsteps: collecting a number of the called party; accessing a database toretrieve an address for locating a customized file of the called party;transmitting the address to a device at the calling party's premises,retrieving the customized file for use by the calling party's device;and connecting the called party with the calling party over a telephonenetwork using the number of the party called.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein said calling party's device is located at the calling party'spremises and is used to generate the number.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein said device includes a microcomputer and a modem for connectingwith the Internet, said address is the Universal Resource Locator (URL)associated with the called party's telephone number, and said file isthe World Wide Web Page of the called party.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein said device includes a microcomputer connected with the Internetvia a signal switching point (SSP) of an advanced intelligent network(AIN)-based telephone network, said address is the Universal ResourceLocator (URL) associated with the called party's telephone number storedin a database connected with the Internet, and said file is the WorldWide Web Page of the called party.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein saiddevice includes a microcomputer connected with the Internet via acentral office of a telephone network, said address is the UniversalResource Locator (URL) associated with the called party's telephonenumber stored in a database connected with the Internet, and said fileis the World Wide Web Page of the called party.
 6. A method ofcommunicating information about a called party to a calling partycomprising a sequence of the following steps: placing a telephone callto a party through a network interconnecting customer premise equipment(CPE) of the called and calling parties; accessing a database storing aUniversal Resource Locator (URL) associated with the telephone number ofthe called party and retrieving the URL; transmitting the URL associatedwith the telephone number of the called party, through said network tothe calling party's CPE, retrieving and displaying the World Wide Webpage associated with the URL on the calling party's CPE; and connectingthe called party's CPE to the calling party's CPE over the network topermit voice communication between the parties.
 7. Apparatus forcommunicating information about a called party to a calling partycomprising: a calling party customer premise equipment (CPE) for placinga telephone call to a called party; a called party CPE for receiving atelephone call from a calling party; a network interconnecting thecalled and calling party CPE's; said network including storage means forstoring customized information associated with the telephone number ofthe called party; said network further including means for retrievingand transmitting said information to said calling party CPE; saidcalling party CPE including means for displaying said information. 8.The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said information is a UniversalResource Locator (URL), said calling party CPE further including meansfor accessing the Internet for retrieving the World Wide Web pageassociated with said URL.
 9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 whereinsaid network includes an signal switching point (SSP) connected with thecalling party CPE, and an SCP connected with said storage means foraccessing said customized information.
 10. The apparatus defined inclaim 8 wherein said network includes a central office connected withsaid calling party CPE and with said storage means for accessing saidcustomized information.
 11. A method of communicating information abouta called party to a calling party comprising: collecting a telephonenumber of the called party entered by the calling party at customerpremise equipment (CPE) of the calling party; automatically retrieving acustomized file of information associated with the telephone number ofthe called party, wherein the customized file of information ismaintained in a database comprising a plurality of customized files ofinformation associated with a respective one of a plurality of telephonenumbers; displaying the retrieved customized file of information on adisplay at the CPE of the calling party; and connecting the called partywith the calling party over a telephone network using the telephonenumber of the called party.